Testimonials

“I recently worked with Tsongas Litigation Consulting on a novel civil defense case in Florida, involving alleged damage to several buildings from nearby construction. The case called for trial graphics, case strategy and theme work and jury selection assistance. We were able to meet and conduct a jury trial theme session over in a video conference. We were impressed with their ability to understand the case quickly. They provided a structured process to the video session and useful work product. We appreciated their insights on jury behavior and practical approaches to connecting our extensive litigation efforts with a persuasive and jury-friendly messaging strategy. They helped us outline a simple persuasive story, solidify key themes and language to use at trial, develop compelling trial graphic concepts, and refine our approach to jury selection. I do not hesitate to recommend their services.”

I have had the pleasure of working with Tsongas for many years. The insightful diagnoses
of issues with witness demeanor and their recommendations to resolve them is a major
litigation resource for my practice. On every occasion in which I have used Tsongas’
services, the nervous, insecure or combative target witness has successfully morphed
into the calm, professional and trustworthy witness. This achievement was due in no
small part to the expertise and skills of the professionals at Tsongas. Together, we
achieve the goal of having the client provide her/his testimony in the most persuasive
and authentic manner. I have personally watched this witness evolution, sometimes over
multiple sessions; however, mostly, only one session is required. I am very grateful to
have Tsongas’ services in my litigation tool box to use for the benefit of my clients. I
highly recommend their services, especially for that witness who appears on the surface
to be the most difficult, unlikeable and intractable of witnesses. I look forward to many
more years of collaboration with Tsongas.

Tsongas came to the rescue at the eve of trial. Even with short notice, the team at Tsongas was thoroughly prepared to help a nervous client for trial testimony. They were the most insightful about the issues and the challenges my clients faced. At the conclusion of the session, my client was relieved and excited to testify in his own defense. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of my client!

I recently had the experience of working with Tsongas on a challenging employment
whistleblower defense trial in The Eastern District of Washington. One of my partners
recommended them to me. As a seasoned trial attorney, I confess I was skeptical at our
first meeting. What could they really offer? I was pleasantly surprised. They came in late
to the game, but got up to speed on the core case issues quickly. They brought unique
insights and helped our team sharpen and hone the defense themes and case strategy
and focused on the strategy and tactics of the trial. They helped us identify and make the
most of our client representative, as well as prepare a sound and targeted jury selection
strategy. They worked with me to craft a powerful opening statement that was focused
on the right target. After a two-week trial the jury came back with a defense verdict
under two hours. A great win for our client. I would strongly recommend Tsongas to my
colleagues and clients. The only thing I will do different for my next trial is engage them
earlier in the process.

We have worked with Tsongas on many projects over the years, and our most recent
experience with a significant trial only confirmed that the Tsongas team is undoubtedly
the right choice. Tsongas helped identify key themes, brainstormed with our team to
create outstanding graphics, partnered with us during jury selection, and helped
strengthen our closing. We consider ourselves very lucky to have Tsongas on our team!

In the defense of a very challenging case in South Dakota, this firm recently engaged Tsongas to conduct a focus group and case strategy session for us. They were well prepared, efficient, effective, and engaged in every detail of their work. The focus group was well designed and implemented; we learned a great deal in a short period of time. The project was tailored to meet our specific needs. The cost was reasonable and well worth the time and expense. We got together immediately after the focus group results and incorporated their recommendations into our trial strategy. Their insight on framing the big picture themes of the case as well as how to deal with particular troublesome issues in the case was very useful. It all worked great and the jury came back with a defense verdict in a highly emotional and sympathetic case. Our client was very pleased with the service. We recommend Tsongas without reservations and look forward to working with them again.

“Tsongas Consulting is well known in the Seattle legal arena. Our firm has called on Tsongas in numerous capacities through the years, but their services go beyond just jury trial consulting. Most recently we turned to them for some targeted advocacy training – an effort to enhance the effectiveness of one of our outstanding young female partners who was handling a very important arbitration for our client. Working closely to prepare her for a key opening statement in front of the tribunal, they helped refine the force of the argument, simplify the case themes, assess the nonverbal and verbal form and style, and suggested changes in the presentation style. With their background in argument theory and practice, and in public speaking and communication, the consultation sessions were very well conceived and executed, and well worth the expense. The engagement was well received by our partner and by our client and the argument in front of the tribunal went extremely well. I highly recommend Tsongas. They are exceptional at what they do.”

- Richard Yarmuth
, Yarmuth Wilsdon PLLC, Seattle, WA

“I would use Tsongas Litigation Consulting again in a heartbeat. I have tried a lot of jury cases over the years and have used jury consultants in many of them. But Tsongas’ consulting and advice were something unique. For a number of reasons, the complex commercial case was very challenging. The stakes were high; the other side had a hometown advantage; it was a high profile case, with tough case facts; and there was a potential bias against the client in the local jury pool. Tsongas was able to navigate us through all of it, with a patience and calmness that made everyone…including the client… comfortable. Tsongas’ personnel know how to develop case strategies, focused on themes and tactics that can reframe case issues in an understandable way for jurors. They know how to do mock trials, identifying the things that need to be changed for trial strategy and helping us implement them into the opening statement, the strategy for witness examinations, and the closing argument. They know how to select juries and how to prepare witnesses to tell the truth in a memorable and consistent manner, even under tough cross examination. The folks at Tsongas were an important part of the trial team, offering advice regarding trial strategy on a daily basis; and they contributed to an outstanding verdict for us and for our client.”

Three months before we were set to try an employment case in federal court in Montana, we sought help from Tsongas. We were asserting three claims, each requiring a separate damage calculation, and the facts were more complicated than usual in such cases. We asked Tsongas to help us distill the story and to develop demonstrative exhibits. One of the exhibits Tsongas crafted was a timeline that proved to be invaluable (a half hour into deliberations, the jury sent a note asking for the timeline – and a calculator). After seeing the Tsongas exhibits, we decided to hire Tsongas to help prepare our client to testify so that he could tell the truth well. In a couple of intense sessions, Tsongas taught our client strategies that made him more confident on the stand and improved his ability to tell his story under cross and direct conditions. With Tsongas’s help, our client received a verdict that awarded both compensatory and punitive damages and that looks to be a record recovery for a Montana employee.

- Tom Singer
, Axilon Law Group, PLLC, Billings, Montana

I’ve been trying cases for more than 35 years and had never used a shadow jury. In the past, I had concerns about both the courtroom logistics and cost of a shadow jury. Now that I’ve completed a trial with the Tsongas team using a shadow jury, I am a believer. The Tsongas approach is seamless, makes no additional demands on a busy trial team, and provides invaluable insights in an efficient format at the end of each trial day. You actually get an answer to the question, “How are we doing?” from the perspective of a layperson and a good feel for what the jury may be thinking. Ultimately, the feedback we obtain during our trial, and the thoughtful guidance Tsongas provided for our use of that information, played an important role in how we tried our case and allowed us to secure a favorable result.